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Obama 'determined as ever' for gun bill

With time running out on the chance to pass gun control legislation, President Barack Obama on Monday warned Congress not to use delaying tactics against tighter regulations and told families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims that he's "determined as ever" to honor their children with tougher laws.

Associated Press

Hartford Conn.

Apr 9, 2013

Obama's gun control proposals have run into resistance on Capitol Hill, leaving their fate in doubt. Efforts by Senate Democrats to reach compromise with Republicans over expanding required federal background checks have yet to yield an agreement, and conservatives were promising to try blocking the Senate from even beginning debate on gun control legislation.

"The day Newtown happened was the toughest day of my presidency," Obama said in an emotional speech from Connecticut's capital, an hour's drive from Newtown. "But I've got to tell you, if we don't respond to this, that'll be a tough day for me too."

Some of the Sandy Hook families are making an attempt to push through the bill. Obama met with them privately before his speech at the University of Hartford Monday evening, then brought 12 family members back to Air Force One for the trip back to Washington. The relatives want to meet with senators who've yet to back the legislation to encourage their support in memory of their loved ones.

"Nothing's going to be more important in making sure that the Congress moves forward this week than hearing from them,"Obama said. His eyes teared as he described Nicole Hockley, who lost her 6-year-old son, Dylan, saying how she asks him every night to come to her in her dreams so she can see him again.

"If there's even one thing we can do to prevent a father from having to bury his child, isn't that worth fighting for?" Obamaasked.

Obama's speech was interrupted repeatedly by standing ovations from the packed gymnasium. At one point, the room erupted with chants of "We want a vote!" Audience members, many wearing green ribbons in support of the victims, were stomping their feet on the bleachers and clapping their hands in unison with the chant.

"This is not about me. This is not about politics. This is about doing the right thing for all the families who are here who have been torn apart by gun violence," Obama said, his voice rising with emotion as he shook his finger in the air.

Obama argued that lawmakers have an obligation to the children killed and other victims of gun violence to allow an up-or-down vote in the Senate. That would require 50 votes to pass, rather than a procedural maneuver some Republican senators are threatening to require 60 votes, potentially sinking the legislation.

"Some back in Washington are already floating the idea that they may use political stunts to prevent votes on any of these reforms. Think about that. They're not just saying they'll vote no on ideas that almost all Americans support. They're saying they'll do everything they can to even prevent any votes on these provisions. They're saying your opinion doesn't matter. And that's not right.

Obama rode to the speech with Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who signed sweeping gun control legislation into law Thursday with the Sandy Hook families standing behind him. But legislation in Washington faces a tougher challenge, as the nation's memories of the shooting fade with time and the National Rifle Association wages a formidable campaign againstObama's proposals.

Majority Leader Harry Reid brought gun control legislation to the Senate floor on Monday, though actual debate did not begin. He took the step after receiving a letter from 13 conservative Republican senators including Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, saying they would use delaying tactics to try preventing lawmakers from beginning to consider the measure. Such a move takes 60 votes to overcome, a difficult hurdle in the 100-member chamber.

The conservatives said the Democratic measure would violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms, citing "history's lesson that government cannot be in all places at all times, and history's warning about the oppression of a government that tries."

Further underscoring the tough road ahead for the Obama-backed legislation, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that the Kentucky Republican would join the filibuster if Reid tries to bring the measure to the floor.

Obama said the vote shouldn't be about his legacy, but about the families in Newtown who haven't moved on to other matters.

"Newtown, we want you to know that we're here with you," Obama said. "We will not walk away from the promises we've made. We are as determined as ever to do what must be done. In fact, I'm here to ask you to help me show that we can get it done. We're not forgetting."

A group of Sandy Hook families originally planned to travel to Washington earlier on Monday, but the White House offered to give the families a ride so they could also attend Obama's speech before their lobbying push. The White House lit up the steps of Air Force One with flood lights so photographers and television cameras could capture the image of Obama climbing the plane's steps with the families at dusk.

Nelba Marquez-Greene, whose 6-year-old daughter Ana was among the victims at Sandy Hook, held up a sign that said "Love Wins" as she walked toward the steps of Air Force One.

The families' lobbying trip was organized by Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit started by community members in the wake of the shooting. "The group is encouraging senators to come together around legislative proposals that will both save lives and respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans," the group said in a statement.

With time running out on negotiations, the White House is making an all-hands-on-deck push this week. Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder planned to promote their plan at the White House on Tuesday with law enforcement officials. First lady Michelle Obama planned to wade into the debate Wednesday with a speech on youth violence in her hometown of Chicago. And on Thursday, Biden was taking part in a discussion on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" with people who have different views on gun control.

Organizing for Action, the grassroots group being formed out of Obama's re-election campaign to support his agenda, said it was launching online ads Monday asking the public to urge their senators to support background checks. The ads will target 11 senators — all Republicans — through Facebook and search engines. An OFA spokesman said the group was not disclosing the cost of the ad campaign.

Gun control is divisive in Newtown, Conn., as in the rest of the country. Not all Sandy Hook families support gun control, and even those involved with the lobbying push organized by Sandy Hook Promise are not backing the assault weapons ban. But those families are asking lawmakers to expand background checks, increase penalties for gun trafficking and limit the size of magazines.

Comments

There you go again

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 7:36am

When Obama wants something, he gets it. One way or another......

Brainiac2007

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:26am

Obama Is A Piece Of $Hit! He Has Ruined Our Country And There's No Other Way To Put It

Darwin's choice

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:48am

+1000

deertracker

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 1:13pm

Blah, blah, blah

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:48pm

Waste of time troll= Darwin's choice.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:44pm

That was a stupid comment, Brainiac2007.

coasterfan

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:59pm

Brainiac, you might want to get your computer checked for a possible virus. When you typed the word "Bush", the word Obama mysteriously appeared in its place.

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:49pm

different puppets....same puppet master....

SamAdams

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:42am

Obama is an idiot. Wait. No, he's not. Obama is a dictator-wannabe and a hard core socialist activist. His ideas of gun control are entirely stupid unless you consider the latter explanation. And does anybody out there REALLY think he's dumb? Evil, perhaps, but dumb?

deertracker

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 1:14pm

Yada, yada, yada!!!!!!!!!!

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:45pm

That was a stupid comment, SamAdams.

coasterfan

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:00am

Obama is a centrist. The only people who think he is a liberal or socialist are people who have moved so far to the right of the political spectrum that they are unable to find their way back to reality.

vicariouslyAlive

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:52am

Hmm.... seems like the federal budget, soaring gas prices and joblessness would be more important things to worry about, but hey, gun laws seem slightly attainable.... so let's go for that instead. Wouldn't want to look like as much of a lame duck as the last idiot in office.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:47pm

Let's bring another Republican idiot back into office, vicariouslyAlive.

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:51pm

i got an idea....lets get another party in there.....just don't think this Rep/Dem two party dictatorship is working out very well....study history anyone? Yeah how is that lesser of two evil thing working out for us.....still evil!

Kottage Kat

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:53am

Exploiting these folks for his agenda under the guise of caring
He does not have a sincerebone in his body
it is getting what he wants and using anyone or anything to accomplish that goal
no scruples or integrity

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:51pm

Republicans have scruples and integrity?
What do you smoke, Kottage Kat?

Pete

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:42am

You guys are going to be in trouble when the Messiah's followers finally get out of bed!
After their SNAP Card Fruit Loops, first blunt, and they fire up their computers that is.

WiseManOnceSaid

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:32am

You forgot the word "in" after be, before trouble.

Pete

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:41am

Good catch. Another 50 mistakes like that & I will catch up to you.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:00pm

Republican puppet

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:08pm

Who's your messiah? There aren't any in the Republican party - just cowards and crooks.

JMOP

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:14am

I would rather lick the bottom of my shoes after going into a truck stop gas staion, then to shake that slimes hand

Erie County Resident

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 1:12pm

Watched the noon news today and boy is Obama the "Dictator & Thief".
He literally loaded up the bus and hand delivered his backdrop for a photo op during his "gestopo type communist agenda" speech.
They showed all of the Obama gun grabber supporters from around the country unloading from Air Force 1. We the taxpayers paid to transport his minions for this propoganda event while the economy is in the tank cutting Domestic programs.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:52pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

deertracker

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 1:16pm

you people are RIDICULOUS!

Pete

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 2:14pm

Took till 1:13 for the first one to get motivated.

goofus

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 4:06pm

Beginning to wonder what liquor Obozo serves on Air Force One, didn't Bart Stupak and Dennis Kucinich take a jaunt?????

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:55pm

Waste of time troll.

goofus

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:06pm

Really?? Such words of wisdom from the left wing kool aide chugger!!!!

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:09pm

Yea, really, troll.

The Big Dog's back

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 6:47pm

Wow, Jim Crowe is alive and well.

KURTje

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 7:04pm

(Fill in blanks with your name) I_____________hate the CIC because, a. he is a democrat, b. he kept his word & got US out of Iraq, c. he isn't white, d. all aforementioned items listed.

vicariouslyAlive

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:34pm

well... considering i've heard just as much stupidity come out of some of the republicans mouths, we still have many many troops in iraq and many other places that they dont need to be and that white men have committed more atrocities than any other race in history, i find your post extremely stupid. don't get me wrong here, i'm not exactly thrilled with obamas antics anymore than the next guy, ut if you're going to try to make a point, let's at least try to make it somewhat vaguely valid... joke or not, political parties are a scam at best, race has been a nonissue for quite some time now and those that tend to keep that ball rolling are the same ones saying they're oppressed by it (either than or it's the extremely uneducated pulling at strings just to hurt someones feeling because they can't come up with anything original), and america has always had this bad habit of sticking it's nose where it doesnt belong just for the sake of profiting from it.

this is just obama trying to accomplish anything he can while in office as to not look as stupid as the idiot that preceded him... all of the other real problems like the economy, education and health care system seem a bit beyond his grasp at this point... little does he know that all he had to do to look better than bush is to just serve a term with dignity... i guess that was too much to ask for out of a politician.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:46pm

Lot's of rambling ranting and raving , vicariouslyAlive.

vicariouslyAlive

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:27am

name 3 productive things that obama did all of the way through. then, try as you might to do the same for bush... how any of you see a difference is beyond me.

and 4shizzle... if it were snide a petty remarks people were looking for, we'd all visit the same kindergarten classroom that you seem to get your material from.

those that defended bush to the end fell short of a hero of any state... the same will be said of obama. hopefully the next guy in line can keep at least one promise he makes on the campaign trail. there's only so many seats left on the titanic of promises he's built for himself before it all goes down.

he's running out of time to make any sort of memorable mark. he knows he cant fix the economy. there's too many countries falling apart to bring troops home... so the only thing that's left is taking a stab at a flash in the pan hot topic.

i dont play party favorites. i'm just waiting for a president to be proud of. it's been quite a while. don't care where he comes from or what color he chooses as his banner, but for christ sake, the next guy can't be worse than the last two without having to call and end to democracy...

shucks

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 2:35am

"... how any of you see a difference is beyond me."

Are you new to this planet? Or deaf and blind?

The Repubs hated Obama before he even swore in the first time.
What does your superior kindergarten mentality tell you about that?

Fox and Rush are vicariously thinking for you: characteristic of a typical Repub.

"...end to democracy..."? =Typical Republican fear propaganda.
Republicans are trying to destroy democracy by rigging voting to their favor.

vicariouslyAlive

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:19pm

Yes most of the country hated Obama before he took office, and most of the country hated bush when he left. I can't help but notice that you didn't even attempt the challenge of nameing 3 things that Obama or bush has done successfully all of the way through.

I'm not Republican nor a Democrat. I'm j. The middle where plain and simple logic resides. Crap seems to roll out of the months of you people that claim far left and right.

shucks

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:52pm

Are you new to this planet? Or deaf and blind?
You need to be spoon fed?
I dont have the desire to type out long rants like you do.
Look it up youself.

shucks

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:58pm

Nice play, kURTje.
All the above president haters are just plain stupid.

And my "beloved Dems" were lied to (by your beloved Republicans) just like the rest of the country was lied to -- or weren't you born yet?

goofus

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 2:04pm

Deny and deflect, then why ask for proof? Wow you democrats must be gullible because they sure voted to go to war with Iraq. I thought the left felt Bush was dumber than a box of rocks, and now you he say he hoodwinked the liberals???? Liberals must be dumber than Bush

shucks

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 3:16pm

Read the threads slower so that your comprehension kicks in.

Or have someone read them to you.

arnmcrmn

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:44pm

So whos more dumb. The ones that were giving out bad information or the ones who didn't check into it and just said yes.

shucks

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:55pm

I quess the Dems were dumb to believe the lying Republicans.

Maybe we should have a 'heads up' when a Republican speaks? Yah think?

coasterfan

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:15am

Let's show Republicans a little empathy, dear forward-thinking fellow Democrats. Conservatives are understandably angry that the country has changed, and that their 1950's ideas are no longer embraced by anything close to a majority. Their anger is fueled by the sudden realization that it wasn't their candidates, but rather their policies that Americans have rejected. Let's just sit back and let them fight amongst themselves, because it Is rather funny to watch them and their party leaders say stupid things that further alienate the very people they need to attract in order to win elections.

arnmcrmn

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 3:29pm

Your right....America has changed. There are more millionaires and billionaires under Obie than there was with Bush......Oh, I love the change.

arnmcrmn

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:14am

Whats going to kill 99.9999999% of American's first. A gun or our shrinking economy, massive debt and increased freeloaders who want someone else to work for them.

When Obie says....jobs jobs jobs...it comes out like blah blah blah.

shucks

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:43pm

What do you expect Obama to do?
Command USA's outsourced businesses to come back to America?
Command businesses here in the USA to start hiring?

He can’t do that---that would make him a socialist dictator.

You said America is on top.
“ That is what capitalism is about....that is why AMERICA is on top. Wouldn't expect a socialist to know that though....derp.”

Get your head and your butt wired together.

arnmcrmn

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:23am

Quick Gun Facts for the liberals who don't understand.

1. There are 279 million estimated civilian owned firearms in America.

2. The United States is #1 in the world when it comes to gun ownership, however we are not even in the top-25 when it comes to gun murder rate.

3. 2.5 million is the estimated number of incidents where a gun was used defensively to stop a crime in the US in 2011.

4. In 2011, ALL RIFLES (including the AR-15) were involved in fewer homicides than blunt objects, fists, or knives.

5. In 2011, 1.5X as many homicides were committed with blunts objects as rifles, 2.2X as many homicides were committed with fists, and 5.2X as many homicides were committed with knives.

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal information.

arnmcrmn

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:30pm

once again the mighty wizard of kurt speaks.......and nobody has a clue what he is saying.

KURTje

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 2:18pm

Thanks for the ban. Truth hurts. If you only had a DD-214. Chickenhawk?

KURTje

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:41pm

Goof why always with the hate? At your age (and one who grew up in a great economy) you should be content. Seems like those old GOPers live for self only. That's a poor way to live.

OSUBuckeye59

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 5:50pm

@vicariouslyAlive, it's actually pretty difficult to give 3 "all the way through" success examples from either GW Bush or Obama. Perhaps in the future when we look back on the long-term effects of legislation each has pushed through (example: Obama's Affordable Care Act), we'll possibly have data to say "this" or "that" was a success. Perhaps. But there's one thing I have absolute faith in: the Democratic Party will for at least the rest of my lifetime invoke GW Bush's name as a lightening rod for all that's evil about the GOP (re: right-wing, conservatives, nut jobs), including how GW Bush was the worst President ever, just as the GOP will use Obama as the poster child for all that's evil about the Democratic Party (left-wing, liberals, socialists, nut jobs), including how Obama was the worst President ever.

Our federally-elected officials are totally missing the message "We the People" keep telling them ad infinitum: "Folks, it's not about the Party, it's about WE THE PEOPLE". Every senseless murder by gun is sad and outrageous, but where is the outrage and call-to-action about our economy, the deficit, the federal budget, state budgets and the unemployment rate?

Speaking of the deficit, the only option to a larger deficit in a downturn is to raise taxes and / or cut spending when unemployment is already high, when GDP growth is already faltering. Had we cut the deficit to zero last year we'd have to raise taxes and / or cut government spending by $1.3 trillion. That would be about 8 or 9% of GDP. To suddenly take 8% of GDP away, an approach favored by Eric Cantor and the Tea Party who refused to raise the debt ceiling, is not eventually bad for the economy - it is immediately bad for the economy.

This will be a slower year for growth because these frequent budget standoffs have worn down the American people who find it increasingly difficult to sustain outrage or interest in congressional deadlock. As the private sector is recovering and growing, the public sector will be further shrinking, and the net effect will be sluggish growth, perhaps even another dip. Unemployment will remain too high.

The right path is to bring down the deficit as the economy improves, but certainly not faster than the economy improves. And it is worth noting that the deficit is currently projected to halve between 2012 and 2014, from $1.3 trillion to $668 billion. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/...) That, it seems to me, is probably faster than is optimal for GDP growth (and for lowering unemployment) over the next couple of years but not bad for longer-term investment markets. This is not a trivial sum, amounting to nearly 4% of GDP in the space of two years, a deficit reduction of $659 billion.

But I've digressed long enough . . .

While the effects of the both party agreed-to sequester continue to slowly and methodically seep in, our President continues to tilt at windmills while our Congressional members keep trying to take out the horse he's riding upon. Everybody seems to be focusing on the hottest button of the moment, hoping to win points from "We The People", without realizing this isn't a game.

Ned Mandingo

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 7:18pm

I find it discussing that Obama is exploiting the kids and family of sandy hook to push thru his anti American laws. He doesn't seen care about the hundreds of kids his drone strikes kill every month.
He is turning out to be a great dictator!

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:58pm

SOOOO TRUEEEE! btw here is a list of all the kids obama has killed....their names and ages....of course this is about a month old so who knows how many more have died! Can't fight truth!